Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Armstrong was brutally hacked to death by six unidentified men near his residence in Chennai’s Perambur area on Friday. The assailants, reportedly riding motorbikes, attacked Armstrong with knives, leaving him fatally injured on the road.
The attack took place within the jurisdiction of the Sembium police station. According to initial reports, the motive behind the murder remains unclear. Armstrong was overseeing the construction of a new house when the attack occurred around 7 pm. The assailants, four of whom were dressed as food delivery agents, struck as Armstrong arrived to inspect the construction site.
Following the attack, Armstrong was rushed to a private hospital in the city, where he was declared brought dead. His body was later transferred to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police have launched an intense search operation to apprehend the culprits, using CCTV footage from the area to aid their investigation. Armstrong had previously served as a Chennai Corporation councillor and was a prominent political figure in the region.
Reacting to the tragic incident, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai criticized the state government for the rising violence in the region. “Deeply shocked by the news of the brutal murder of the State President of the Bahujan Samaj Party, Thiru Armstrong avl, in Chennai today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & the cadres of the Bahujan Samaj Party at this time,” Annamalai posted on social media platform X.
He further condemned the DMK government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, for the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu. “Violence & brutality has no place in our society but has become a norm in TN in the last 3 years under the DMK regime. Having left the law & order of the State in shatters, Thiru @mkstalin should ask himself if he has the moral responsibility to continue as the CM of the State,” he added.
The AIADMK also criticized the DMK government, with leader Palaniswami questioning the state’s law and order conditions and urging authorities to ensure a peaceful funeral for Armstrong.
The investigation continues as police work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
